Manipur to host India’s first Eco Tourism Conclave in April

Agencies
MUMBAI, MARCH 19

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Government of Manipur in collaboration with Ecotourism Society of India (ESOI) is set to organise the first edition of Eco Tourism Conclave at Imphal, on April 7 and 8, 2014. The Conclave will be coinciding with the International Thailand-Bhutan Car Rally arriving in Manipur on April 7, as per a release. V K Duggal, Governor of Manipur, will be the Chief Guest of the Conclave. M P Bezbaruah, Honourable Member, North Eastern Council, Shillong and Shilabhadra Banerjee, (IAS Retd.), former Secretary, Tourism, Government of India, will also attend the Conclave. Leaders from the tourism sector are also expected to join the panel of speakers and share their experiences.Dr. Rajesh Kumar, Principal Secretary (Tourism), Government of Manipur said that the Conclave would bring into national focus, the rich natural assets, heritage and culture of Manipur, apart from the inherent adventure and sporting spirit of the people, such as the Polo Tourism which was born in Manipur. Manipur is also working on developing tourism activities in and around Loktak Lake, which is the largest fresh water lake in the North East, located 45 km South-West of Imphal. This would help in conservation and protection of endangered species like the Brow Antlered Deer, popularly known as the Sangai, Kumar added.
Rakesh Mathur, Honorary Secretary, ESOI, observed that the Conclave will be the first time in which apart from the role of culture, media, home stay and community, ecotourism practices, code of ethics and guidelines under the Safe & Honourable Tourism, etc. will be discussed. The two-day Conclave will also focus on Adventure Tourism, Heritage Tourism, MICE Tourism, Golf Tourism, Polo Tourism, Medical Tourism, Water-based Tourism & Sports, Rural Tourism and Culture Tourism.
For the benefit of all stakeholders, the Conclave will showcase some of the best Eco Tourism-related practices in India and across the world. The Conclave will also cover topics like Destination Development and Marketing, Role of Media in Tourism.